On June 27, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed that China is willing to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with global partners, including Japan, to jointly contribute to the protection of endangered species like giant pandas. Guo made the remarks as four giant pandas in Wakayama, Japan, are set to return to China on June 28. After their departure, the two pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will be the only ones remaining in Japan, and they are expected to return to China early next year.